Twenty Four Part Three

The commander did not care if she be the King's own sister, he wanted whoever she was, incarcerated. Now.

Betsy climbed down from the nest, Davey stayed one rung above her, matching her pace the entire way down.

Eli watched what looked to be two young boys climbing down the mast. Eli's brow furrowed angrily as he realised one of these small whelps had fired upon him and could have taken his life.

When Betsy found her footing upon the deck planks, she was swallowed up.

Eli could not find her.

The entire pirate crew had moved smoothly and stealthily to back him up, while at the same time, covering and hiding her.

Eli realized there must be ten people between he and his prize.

"Move, move, out of my way, I say." Eli tried to get through the men to get to the girl, but these men kept shifting position and he could not get any closer to her at all.

Eli finally gave up. He walked away from them a few steps, turned on his heel and then addressed the group as a whole. "Anyone who does not get out of my way will be chained along with her!" Eli was purple in the face, he had never had so much trouble arresting anyone before.

Betsy could not see anything except Pete and Sam's broad backs. When she did get a glimpse between them, she then saw Bart and Michaels' backs.

"What are you doing? I am not afraid of that little old man." She tried to push past them, she wanted to get to Violet, but the men would not budge.

Eleanor was allowed to weave her way to Elizabeth, whereupon she took Betsy's arm and patted it. "I am sure all will be fine, my dear. Eli Fleming may be a blunderbuss, but he is not a bad man." Eleanor assured her.

"I do not fear him, my Lady, my only fear is for Violet." Betsy wanted to touch Violet, and she wanted to touch him now.

"I see, but dear," Ellie narrowed her eyes, "We shall have to be crafty to get you out of this."

Betsy had survived a pirate attack at sea, a shipwreck during a storm, an attempt upon their lives by the Barbary pirates, a little old man was not enough to frighten her.

"A seasoned military man should know better than to point a pistol at someone unless he plans on using it." Betsy said this, miffed at the old man for forcing her hand.

Her papa had served in the King's navy long before Betsy was born, and she could remember having heard him say something like that to someone before.

There was no way anyone was going to shoot Violet. Ever. Not as long as she had anything to say about it. The old man had not needed to threaten Violet thusly, putting Violet's life in danger, therefore he was in the wrong.

Eli did not see it that way.

"Let me see what I can do." Eleanor released Betsy and squeezed between Pete and Sam, then Bart and Michaels, finally popping out between Violet and Brutus. Ellie straightened her coat, patted her hair, and sashayed over to Eli to try to smooth his ruffled feathers.

"Eli, my dear." Eleanor put her arm through his, she patted his chest with her other hand, as she turned and led him towards the stern of the ship.

"Now Lady Kent, do not be my dearing, me, I shall not be deterred, you know." Eli slanted a fierce glance down at the Lady. "She fired upon my person and must be made to realise she has committed a crime. If these men do not desist in protecting her, I will have no choice but to arrest the lot of them." He growled angrily.

"Yes, yes, I see, Eli dear, I do see your point there," Eleanor stopped walking and turned to face the commander, "But the girl is my ward, I have raised her since she was a babe and I will protect her with my life, so you also see my point here." Ellie patted Eli's arm.

"I cannot let it go unanswered, Eleanor. I understand you feel a need to protect her, and I need to arrest her, what would you have me do?" Eli was willing to listen to reason, as long as he got his way in the end.

"I will vouch for her before the King. For now, if you have a cabin where she and I can be your guests, I will chaperone her, and we shall all be on our way to London together." Eleanor smiled at Eli conspiratorially, "No chains, you do not need them, I promise she will behave, if you will but let her come with me." Ellie looked up at Eli's face hopefully.

"Fine, but I want this dealt with now." Eli slanted a most serious glance down at Eleanor. "The King shall hear about it if there is any more trouble made for me."

"Of course, Eli, there will be no more trouble, you have my word. Just leave it all to me." Ellie turned to the crew bunched up on deck.

"Elizabeth, I need you to come with me, dear." Ellie trilled across the ship.

The men moved to bind even tighter around Elizabeth and were grumbling amongst themselves.

Betsy was still trying to get through them but they would not let her pass.

Eleanor approached Violet, "He will not just let this go, you know, he has agreed to let me stay with her aboard his ship, I will make sure she is treated well. Trust me Violet, she is mine too." The love for Elizabeth that Violet saw in Ellie's eyes, convinced him standing down may be best.

"My wife, gentlemen." Violet waited as Betsy was brought front and center by Pete, who angled himself in front of Betsy a small bit.

Eli was shocked. That this tiny slip of a girl had fired upon him, threatening his life, was inconceivable. She was but a wee little girl, dressed up as a pirate. He cocked a brow at Ellie, "You raised this?"

Ellie gave him a smug look in return that said, you bet your boots I did. Then Ellie turned to Betsy, holding out her hands, "Your guns, please."

Elizabeth glared at Eli while she handed Ellie her guns, who then handed them over to Marcus.

Betsy continued glaring at the old man as her hand slipped to hold Violet's, she then risked a glance at her husband, who looked upon her with love. Yet a look of disappointment was in his gaze also.

"I am sorry Violet, I was just trying to protect you." Betsy wanted that look gone from his eyes, she did not like it upon his face, much less directed at her.

Violet squeezed her hand and then took her into his arms. "I know lovey, I would have done the same had I been in your place and had your abilities." He pulled back to look into her eyes and his brow was furrowed with concern. "Yet, I am afraid now there will be charges made against you, and I had really hoped to keep you out of all this." Violet pulled her in tight to him again and she realised he was not so much disappointed in her, but the situation was not at all to his liking.

Well, it was not to her liking either.

"I am sorry," She repeated to Violet, "But I am not sorry," She turned and raised her voice to the old man in front of her, "To teach an old man some manners!" She glared at Eli as he came forward and took her arm.

Betsy jerked her arm away from him, and when he attempted to grab her again, he found her swallowed up by her crew once more.

"Damnation! Can we be done with this already?" Eli stomped his squishy foot and glared at Eleanor.

"No chains, and no manhandling!" Ellie stated plainly.

"Fine, you bring her along then." Eli then turned and glared at his first mate.

"What? I did not do anything!" Jack raised his hands and backed away from the old man.

"Damned right, you have not done anything." Eli turned back to see Eleanor smoothing the crew's ruffled feathers.

"You will have her back, men, I promise, but for now, she and I shall be Eli's guests." Ellie patted Pete's chest and then pushed him to the side to take Betsy's hand, "Come along dear, it must be nearly dinnertime. I am famished." Ellie pulled Betsy out from between Violet and Pete, and walked with her to the boarding plank, Violet right behind them.

Violet put his hand gently on Betsy's neck and attempted to guide and assist the ladies aboard the Omega.

Eli's arm shot out across Violet's chest. "Just the ladies, Captain." Eli informed the startled man.

Violet's eyes flew to Eli's, "You said I, and the one who shot at you, would be your guests." Violet narrowed his eyes upon the commander.

"Yes, well, I have Eleanor now, I do not need you, you and your men may follow me willingly, or not, it does not make a difference to me." Eli followed the ladies over to the Omega. Jack stayed to make sure Violet did not try to cross over. When the women and the commander made the other deck, Jack then crossed.

Eli commanded his men to release the Wench, so they could be on their way.

Eli knew the Wench would follow, as he now had the Captain's wife, and he saw how loyal each of the men were to her.

Violet stood at the rail and watched as Eleanor and Elizabeth were led across the deck.

He addressed his men, his eyes still focused on his wife. "Let us be under way," He yelled out.

He then begged of Brutus, "Just keep them in our sights if ye can."

Betsy looked back at Violet, her face full of regret and deep emotions, then her eyes lit upon the commander behind her and Violet watched as her eyes narrowed and sparked with anger.

Violet hoped she would not make more trouble for herself, goading the commanding officer to even more heights of anger.

Violet watched her until she and Eleanor disappeared below deck. His eyes then dropped to the deck below his own feet.

"All will be well, son, we will get her back." Marcus encouraged Violet the best he could.

"Of course we will, Violet, the Lady Eleanor will not let anything bad happen to her." Katherine put in her two cents.

"Yes, the Lady Eleanor is with her." Violet needed a moment.

Violet felt adrift, he went below deck to seek a moment alone to think. He could smell the wedding flowers as he came down the hallway, he almost did not want to enter the empty room.

He made himself go to his bedroom and he stared at the bed where his bride had slept just an hour before. How had things gone wrong so quickly? What was he supposed to do now?

He sat upon the bed and thought back to just a short time ago when he could not remove the smile from his face. Now he could find no reason to smile at all.

Why did she have to be so damn loyal and protective that she would shoot at an officer of the King?

Then he thought back to the old man and the water barrel, and he smirked.

She was something, was she not?

Violet found something to smile about in spite of the situation, as he remembered her angry words that declared herself his wife.

She was his alright, there was no doubt in his heart about that.

Now he just had to figure out how to get her back.

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Jude had begged a mount to take himself home.

James was more than happy to accommodate him.

The baron had taken it well, James had explained the situation, that Terese had met a young man and that James had approved the match. Then James asked Jude to join him at the study window.

Jude had seen Alfred and Terese strolling in the garden arm in arm. Jude saw Terese's face turn and gaze up prettily at his son.

Jude was quite taken aback. Alfred? When had Terese met Alfred....how had Alfred met Terese?

Jude was surprised when he found he was not angry. He could not even find it in himself to be disappointed. As he focused on his son, he felt something shift inside him.

Terese was forgotten, and Jude's relationship to the young man by her side overrode any other emotions he may have felt.

Terese had merely been a means to an end. Yes, she was lovely, she was young, and also rich, but she was not the only heiress in town, and it seemed his son had found something special in this young lady.

Jude turned back to address James, "I see. Do tell her I stopped by, and that I wish her the very best." Jude glanced at the couple once more, smiling slightly, he then walked to the door before adding, "He looks to be a fine young man."

Jude turned to open the door before remembering he had no way home.

"Laird Ferguson, may I borrow a mount, as I sent my carriage away. I shall have the horse returned forthwith."

"Absolutely, Baron Kensington." James walked Jude to the door, then handed him off to Patrick, to be escorted to the stables.

Upon choosing a mount, Jude left by a different gate, which let him out onto a side lane behind the stables. He made his way home, and asked Charles to see the horse returned to the Ferguson estate.

Jude went to his study and sat down.

Alfred.

Alfred was the key.

If he could get Alfred in his corner, it would be both of them, together,

their word against Gwendolyn's.

Gwen had tried her best to manipulate them both into carrying out her plans, mayhap together, they could thwart her and Jude could be rid of her for good.

Jude sat back in his chair and joined his hands in front of him on his belly. In spite of the fact that his son had stolen his future wife, he felt a bean of pride grow in his chest for the young man.

Alfred had carried himself differently walking the garden path with the lovely redhead. He had seemed alive, whereas before his eyes had been beady, dead and unfeeling, there had been something different in his visage now.

Alfred had always made Jude feel uncomfortable under his gaze, but now there was something, Jude could not say exactly what, but something in Alfred's demeanour had changed. Whatever it was, had touched the part of Jude's heart that recognised him as his own flesh and blood.

But would Alfred betray his own mother?

That was the question Jude must find an answer to, and quickly. He needed an answer before Marcus returned, before Gwen really started pressuring him to kill her husband.

He needed to see Alfred and try to figure out what the young man would be willing to do.

Jude had only spent a short time at the Ferguson's estate, he still had the rest of the afternoon and evening ahead of him, he should go to the club and try to find out where Alfred was staying. Jude needed to speak with his son as soon as possible.

With that decided, he went upstairs to change his jacket to go out for the evening.

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Gwendolyn sat in her coach for hours. She had no idea how long she waited, she only knew she was angry enough to spit nails.

She was leaning forward, about to tell Lynwood to take her back to Jude's townhouse, when she noticed a bit of activity by the entrance gate of the mansion.

She ducked back as far into the seat as she could, she did not want to be seen lurking outside the residence, when her own son rode his steed out of the gate.

What in the world was Alfred doing at Jude's business meeting? Gwendolyn's eyes narrowed as she watched Alfred's back traveling away from her.

This was most unusual. She looked back to the gate which was now closed.

Gwendolyn sat back and tried to think of any reason that Jude and Alfred would both be at a meeting together. Other than the conversation she had tried to have at dinner the other night when Alfred had so rudely left them, she could think of no reason at all.

But if Alfred had just left this place, then Jude could be finished with his business inside soon. Filled with curiosity, she thought she would wait a bit longer to see if Jude came out next

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Alfred returned to Merry's apartment to dress for the evening. He had been invited to the theatre with Terese and her parents, but that was not for a few hours.

He found Merry in her parlour organising her new art supplies.

"Oh Alfred, these are simply wonderful! I cannot wait to start using them!"

Alfred came to stand beside her and was gladdened by the animation and joy he saw in her face.

"I am happy to supply you with them, my dear, I really do believe you are very good." He assured her he had not done this just to humour her, he felt she had real talent and it would be a waste not to help her if he could.

"I thank you again, this time for the compliment." Merry continued opening and categorising her new items.

"Would you like to come out for supper, Merry? We could go to one of the pubs if you are hungry." Alfred had quite a while until his date for the theatre and he found himself hungry.

"I would love to, Alfred, give me a moment or two to change?" Merry was extremely happy, Alfred had never bothered to take her to dinner before, and when she returned she still had all these fine gifts to enjoy.

"I too, would like to ready myself, half an hour and I shall be awaiting you at your leisure." Alfred nodded and allowed her to proceed him up the staircase, "Do not feel a need a need to rush Merry, we have plenty of time."

Alfred had just finished changing his attire when he heard someone knock upon the front door. He ran down the staircase and found a messenger standing upon the steps.

"For the Baron of Nimford." The messenger held out a missive and Alfred took it from his hand.

"I am to await an answer, my Lord."

Alfred nodded at the man and excused himself for a moment, closing the door. He moved to the front sitting room where the light was brighter and found it to be a note from his cousin Jude.

Was Jude not hunting at his father's estate? Alfred knew his mother had been entertaining him while Marcus was gone. The last time Alfred saw Jude, he was sitting at the supper table with Alfred's mother.

Jude wanted to meet with him it seemed, at the club where they both were members. Damn, well, Jude would just have to wait, Alfred had offered to take Merry out for dinner and that was what he intended to do.

He dashed off a reply that he could come by later. Before the theatre he should have a bit of time.

Giving the note to the messenger, he turned to see Merry descending the stairs.

"Shall we walk to a place up the lane?" Alfred asked, noting that she wore comfortable low heeled boots with her pretty blue dress.

"That would be lovely." Merry retrieved a shawl from the closet and they linked arms to walk down to the pub and enjoy a friendly repast.

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Eli was a bit frustrated and did not know what to do about this new development. Not only was Elizabeth free of chains, but she was free of censure also. His men loved her. Every last man, that sat in the galley with her and Ellie, hung on her every word.

"And then, my Lady shot him right in the chest. She took a horse pistol from his bleeding corpse, pulling me to the bow of the ship, she then held off at least a dozen pirates at gunpoint. I did not know how to swim and I prayed we would not have to jump overboard."

The damned thing was, Eli found that he liked her also, in spite of not wanting to. She had spunk, she was cute as a button and she kept shooting daggers at him with her eyes. He found himself amused to no end with the way she showed her disdain for him.

He could see why the other crew did not want to give her up.

But she was his for the time being, he had the Lady Eleanor to boot, not to mention an entire ship of pirates followed him home. This had turned into a highly successful journey. He grinned and signalled one of his cabin boys to refill his coffee mug, as he continued listening raptly to Betsy's tale.

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Until next time lovely readers :)

I hope everyone had a blessed Christmas!